Norcold Refrigerator Not Working

[BogeyPro]

Hello, dear friends.

Per Airstream Support, they told me to replace the fuse, even though the existing one was fine. Did that, nothing changed. Then they told me to check to see if interior light would come on. Nope. Then they told me to slide out the refrigerator and check to see if "it was plugged in to the outlet."

Well, after much effort, I did slide out the refrigerator. There was no "outlet" visible, because this unit is DC only. See the attached pictures. I checked all the connections visually and physically (no, sorry, I do not have a voltmeter) and they all looked good to me, but hey I am not an electrician.

I am assuming that Airstream Support will tell me to contact the nearest Norcold certified technician or qualified service center. There are a few in my area.

Before I go down this unknown road, has anyone here been in the same situation? If so, how did you deal with it? I am so appalled that this unit decided not to power on. It is barely two years old! And of course, it comes with a one year warranty that expired last April.

Just a coincidence, but last week, I paid a service technician to come out to my house and check my under counter refrigerator, which powered on, but refused to cool down. He took one look at it and said "it can't be fixed, you need a new unit", followed by "will that cash or check, for us$145?"

I'm dreading the same will happen with the Norcold. Make appointment, hitch up, tow to shop. Technician takes one look and says it needs to be replaced.

Are we really making products this poorly? Heaving the barely two year old unit into the landfill, with all the others? Mind boggling.

Sorry, I'm just venting my frustration. Any feedback greatly appreciated.

[fran&frank]

Your refridgerator may be fine, you may not be getting power to it, as suggested by the fact that the light does not come on. Youu need to get a voltmeter and see if you have 12 volts at the back of the fridge. You've already done the hard work pulling the fridge out. You can get a voltmeter or even a 12 volt test light for a lot tless than a $145 service call-- Frank

[richard5933]

Have you called Norcold tech support yet?

When we had a Vitrifrigo which used the same/similar cooling unit and control box I called them when we had a similar problem. They sent a new control box which took care of things. Not difficult to replace. I bought an extra control box in case we needed it.

If my memory is correct the control box for a DC only Danfoss cooling unit is around $100, so if you're a gambling man it might pay off to just get a new control box and try that instead of called a repairman to come out. As long as you confirm that you have power to the current control box, it's what I'd try first.

[Gail328]

I had problems with my 2022 GT Norcold and dealer fixed no charge...turned out to be a bad connection...they replaced connection and all is fine. Mine would come on occasionally then be off for week.

[BogeyPro]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Have you called Norcold tech support yet?

When we had a Vitrifrigo which used the same/similar cooling unit and control box I called them when we had a similar problem. They sent a new control box which took care of things. Not difficult to replace. I bought an extra control box in case we needed it.

If my memory is correct the control box for a DC only Danfoss cooling unit is around $100, so if you're a gambling man it might pay off to just get a new control box and try that instead of called a repairman to come out. As long as you confirm that you have power to the current control box, it's what I'd try first.

Thanks, Richard. If you mean tech support, did you mean opening a up a support case on their website, or having some one physically look at it who are authorized Norcold techs?

When you said control box, did you mean the plastic component on the top of the unit, that has all the forward facing controls on it, i.e. power button, temp setting, etc? With the Norcold unit, it is easily removed, but there are many many small gauge wires for multiple connections..looks like spaghetti back there. But I did see where all of them have clamp like connections to the back side of main unit. More fun!

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by BogeyPro

Thanks, Richard. If you mean tech support, did you mean opening a up a support case on their website, or having some one physically look at it who are authorized Norcold techs?

When you said control box, did you mean the plastic component on the top of the unit, that has all the forward facing controls on it, i.e. power button, temp setting, etc? With the Norcold unit, it is easily removed, but there are many many small gauge wires for multiple connections..looks like spaghetti back there. But I did see where all of them have clamp like connections to the back side of main unit. More fun!

Control box is the black box you showed in the photo - the one with the wires connecting to it. Easy to replace. It's the brains of the fridge.

Tech support - Vitrifrigo has a customer service number where you can speak to a real live tech support person. I assumed Norcold has the same.

[BogeyPro]

OK, so I called Camping World, located nearby in Marysville, for a service appointment. The earliest I could get in would be November 2nd. Even though that is simply unacceptable, I went ahead and made the appointment anyway.

More research revealed this from the Norcold Product Manual: Your refrigerator has an overcurrent protection system in the electronic circuit to prevent damage to the inverter which may occur due to a reverse polarity connection. You need to check the fuse, which is located in-line with the DC connector, and the polarity of the DC power supply.

I have not checked this fuse yet, but it does give me a glimmer of hope. I have ordered a voltmeter from Amazon. The wiring diagram is attached. If anyone out there has already been through this, your feedback is most welcomed.